Tag: fun

Have your heart set on a summer boat party this year, but don’t know where to start? Does it feel similar to walking down the streets of Newtown, Pyrmont or Balmain, trying to pick a café for brunch or to grab a coffee – to the locals or returning clients there always seems to be a front runner or two, but to others the choice can be simply overwhelming.

If you’re planning a party or gathering on Sydney Harbour, you should be confident with your vessel choice and service provider. Understanding how services differ is key to building this confidence and ensuring that you are 110% satisfied throughout the entire planning and partying process.

We know the industry well, so the team has put together a shortlist on some of our points of difference. It highlights why you should choose Sea Sydney Harbour (SSH) for your next event on board a private catamaran and why we believe we will deliver you the best service on the harbour!

WHY CHOOSE SEA SYDNEY HARBOUR?

We specialise in CATAMARAN HIRE – Offering a selection of vessels to suit various group sizes and occasions allows the team to cater for a range of private events both day and night. With a focus on catamarans we are experts in this vessel style and we believe they are ideal for enjoying celebrations on board with their great layouts and large amount of space. We have a number of industry contacts, so even if our vessels are booked for the day, we can still assist by organising your event with one of our industry partners.

2. We deliver A+++ SERVICE – From your first point of contact through to after your cruise date, the SSH team delivers a high standard of service. All the events team and on board crew understand the importance of customer service, friendliness and respect, as well as organisation, so you can be confident that the service and plans you discuss with the SSH team will be executed without any hiccups.

“BEST NIGHT EVER – I can’t thank Ann and the Sea Sydney Harbour team enough for making my Hens night just the best night ever! Being on the new Fleetwing II was amazing. Having the bar was great; everyone knew where to go to get a drink, the food was amazing and we had so much room to dance. We also could get great photos out of the front of the boat and on the top level. Plenty of options for people to sit as well.
My family and friends cannot stop raving about how much fun they had… I cannot recommend this highly enough! …”

Danielle N.

Discover further reviews and testimonials on the Sea Sydney Harbourwebsite or Trip Advisor profile.

3. CUSTOMER CONVENIENCE – Everything that is offered with our exclusive vessel hire is designed to make it convenient for YOU! We have entertainment options available, as well as the option of catered or BYO cruises. If you do opt to BYO food and drinks we provide all disposables, eskies with ice, garbage disposal and use of our on board BBQ. The crew will even cook this for you so you can relax and enjoy the party! Drinks can be delivered directly to the vessel pre-cruise, so you don’t have to carry them on the day and these will be chilled and on ice ready for when you board.

There are also no set wharf locations for embarking and disembarking the vessel, as we arrange these to your convenience. Better yet, if you’re going all out on the day, we can even offer limousine rides to and from the wharf location – talk about a one-stop planning service!

4. Our fleet includes HIGHLY MAINTAINED VESSELS – Our catamarans are some of the best looking on the harbour with great pride taken in the presentation and upkeep of the vessels. We understand that your celebrations will include photos and videos being taken for memories and social media, and we ensure our vessels are looking spick and span for you! Our vessel appearance is an extension of our brand image and reputation, hence you will always be sure to have a clean and safe vessel arrive punctually on the day.

5. FUN & POSITIVE ATTITUDES – The SSH team has a diverse range of personalities and skills, and the team is young, fun and professional. They all love boating and being on the water and they love meeting and mingling with new people. This means they bring their positive vibes to your party and ensure you are having a good time and the event is stress free! The crew will be sure to have a friendly chat with your group on the day, making your experience more personal and memorable and will work to accommodate any special cruise requests.

The SSH team are experts in boating and event planning. Our vision is to provide the opportunity for everyone to experience the joy of Sydney Harbour. While we may not be the cheapest on the block, we are the best at what we do – no one ever said the cheapest coffee on the strip was the best cup!

Once you cruise with Sea Sydney Harbour there is no turning back, and you won’t feel the need to walk up and down the street overwhelmed with options. We guarantee an amazing service and memorable experiences on the harbour, with smiles and bonding amongst family, friends and colleagues. Our catamarans are suitable for private hire to celebrate birthdays, hen’s parties, buck’s parties, Christmas parties, and corporate events, social and family gatherings.

Get in touch with the Sea Sydney Harbour team today to check vessel availability and find out more information – email info@seasydneyharbour.com.au or phone +61 452 188 739. Book early to secure your summer cruise date and avoid disappointment.

It’s certainly public knowledge now that Captain Frank has a new girl that he’s been giving his attention to – by “girl” we do mean “vessel” – and he’s been spending much of his days with her, getting to know all the details.

Her name is Fleetwing II, and she is a luxury motor catamaran that can accommodate for small to medium sized groups for private charters. She has been in Sydney Harbour for some years, but it is only in the recent months that the bond between Fleetwing II and Captain Frank has begun and he’s been giving her a bit of a facelift. Her new look officially launches in October, ready for a busy Summer season!

While it’s certainly still early days and the Captain has a lot to learn about the vessel, we wanted to find out what his favourite features were on Fleetwing II and why the Captain would recommend hiring this vessel for your next private function.

HERE’S WHAT WE DISCOVERED…

1. He loves THE WHEELHOUSE – traditionally the wheelhouse is defined as part of a boat or ship serving as shelter for the person at the helm. This space is very large on Fleetwing II and has all the equipment one would need to navigate the vessel. Captain Frank often invites guests to join him in the wheelhouse and shares his knowledge of the harbour and boats, while they enjoy the amazing Sydney Harbour views.

2. The SPACE IS FUNCTIONAL – with 3 main deck spaces on board including the internal cabin, the back deck and the upper deck, there is no shortage of space on this vessel. The spaces flow nicely together so guests can mingle with each other with ease, and the mix of indoor and outdoor areas makes this vessel ideal for all occasions throughout the year, whether it be in Summer or Winter.

3. He loves the BIG ENGINES – we don’t know much about the details of the engines, but there are two on board and they are big! If you ask the Captain about them, he would almost certainly be in his element.

4. THE BAR is a great feature – situated in the ideal location at the bow of the vessel, the bar area is a great set up for both passengers on board and the crew. With it’s new metallic design, it is the focal point upon boarding the vessel and no doubt a place that guests cull to and love to have a chat. It’s a relatively spacious bar, which flows into galley access for the crew and for private charters there is the option to select a beverage package, purchase drinks on consumption or you can even BYO drinks, which are then served by the qualified RSA crew.

5. THE BOW AREA is a forgotten gem – often overlooked when talking about the flow and function of the space, the bow (or front of the vessel) is undoubtedly a great feature and great space to spend your time. It’s from here that you can capture some amazing shots of Sydney Harbour! With easy access from the internal cabin, it’s a great place to soak in some sunshine, relax and enjoy your time on a boat.

Talking about favourite features, we had to stop Captain Frank at 5, as he undoubtedly loves many things about this vessel. The Captain then went on to tell us about all the work that’s been happening behind the scenes to give Fleetwing II a new look, but we don’t want to spoil all the secrets – it’s best if you see these first hand on board!

Fleetwing II is available for private charters all year round and the vessel is ideal to hire for your next function. Whether it is a birthday, hen’s party, buck’s party, corporate event or Christmas party, Fleetwing II is the perfect floating venue on Sydney Harbour!

To find out more information contact the Sea Sydney Harbour team – email info@seasydneyharbour.com.au or phone +61 452 188 739.

Captain Frank has been skippering vessels on Sydney Harbour for a number of years now and his knowledge of the harbour is vast. However last year he began exploring the harbour with a tourist cap on his head and he discovered some new and fun facts about the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Also known as the ‘Coathanger’, the bridge is iconic to Sydney Harbour and the views from the water are outstanding. It is the world’s largest steel arch bridge and one of Australia’s most well-known and photographed landmarks.

BUT DID YOU KNOW…

1. The Harbour Bridge is actually an optical illusion. Despite the bridge looking to be curved each piece that makes up the bridge is actually straight.

2. The top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge arch actually rises and falls about 180mm (18cm) due to changes in the temperature! There are special hinges in the arch top that allow for this movement.

3. Ever wondered why the Sydney Harbour Bridge is grey? When the bridge was built, grey was the only available colour in a large enough quantity to paint the entire span of the bridge. 272,000 litres of paint were required to give the bridge its initial paint.

4. Before the opening of the bridge in 1932, up to 96 steam locomotives were positioned in various ways to test the load capacity of the bridge.

5. While the bridge is certainly a Sydney icon today, at the time of construction, approximately 800 families living in the planned path of the Harbour Bridge were displaced without any compensation (certainly not a fun fact, but definitely an interesting one!)

With the Sydney Harbour Bridge now carrying eight vehicle lanes (more than 160,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily), two train lines, a footway and a cycleway, as well as providing the opportunity for Sydney locals and visitors to climb the top of the bridge, imagining Sydney without this icon is not even possible!

The views from the water are absolutely stunning and no matter how many times Captain Frank and the team cruise under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, it is still amazing and its wow-factor stands strong. You can join Captain Frank and the team on either a private booking or a scheduled harbour tour – we guarantee Sydney Harbour and the views from the water will impress you!

Captain Frank’s dessert pick for Christmas is a playful cheesecake that will go down a treat with both adults and kids – he’s never the one to make it… but he sure does love to eat it!

PEANUT BUTTER & POPCORN CHEESECAKE

“Include peanut butter and you have a winner dish!” – Captain Frank

Time to serve. Image – Sea Sydney Harbour.

Serves: 12 Prep: 45 mins Cooking Time: 10 mins

1¼ cups chocolate biscuit crumbs

80g butter melted

500g cream cheese, softened

2/3 cup caster sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

3 tsp gelatine dissolved in ¼ cup boiling water

¾ cup peanut butter

1 cup thickened cream, softly whipped

1 cup sugar

1 cup thickened cream, extra

¼ cup popping corn, popped as per packet instructions

Combine biscuit crumbs and butter then press into the base of a greased and lined 22cm round springform pan. Chill.

Beat the cream cheese, caster sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth. Stir in gelatine and peanut butter, then fold through cream. Pour mixture over prepared base. Chill for 3 hours or until set.

Heat sugar in a saucepan over a medium-high heat, without stirring, for 2 minutes or until sugar begins to melt. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes or until golden. Remove from heat and carefully add extra cream. Stir until smooth. Allow to cool.

Top cheesecake with popcorn and drizzle over sauce. Serve immediately.

SHARE YOUR DESSERT FAVOURITE

Do you have a dessert idea that you would love to share? We would love to see it as Captain Frank and the team enjoy tasty food both on land and on water! Share your dessert selections on Instagram.

Captain Frank invited a friend out on the Sydney Harbour Sunset & Sparkle Cruise upon the product’s initial launch… So we decided to share her write up!

BY ANNIE B.

As a Sydney-sider I am often treated to a spectacular sunset, with glorious pink and red hues being spread across the sky like a blanket of fire. To say I am spoilt with views is an understatement, as these amazing sunset displays come out for show.

Absolutely spectacular colours spread across the sky as the sun sets on a Summer evening. Image – Sea Sydney Harbour.

With Sydney having such vivid sunsets, the next question is where is the best place to capture such a picturesque occasion from? Of course we want the best vantage point so we have the footage to share across social media.

Scrolling through the internet searching for the answer to this question… well it seems that such a discussion is open for debate, with many personal opinions being listed and with the images shared, it’s hard to say they are wrong. Put simply, Sydney has amazing sunsets and there seems to be a number of great spots to capture these from!

On this note, a common feature I did notice from the array of listed locations that I sifted through, was that many selected Sydney spots – Watsons Bay, Manly, Cockatoo Island, Sydney Opera House and a number of key harbour side hotels and restaurants – had one thing in common, Sydney Harbour. Thinking about it, the sun does look better glistening off the water.

Just when I thought the idea of a Sydney sunset could not get much better, the opportunity arose for me to experience a gorgeous sunset aboard a harbour cruise. Wow!! To say the least, this was like front row seats at the opera, side line seats at the footy grand final and rooftop seats for an eclipse. Not only did I view the gorgeous sunset from a prime location, but I enjoyed a cruise around the harbour, where I relaxed, grazed on some nibbles and enjoyed a glass of champagne.

Hosting a celebration on a boat calls for some great party theme ideas that are easy but definitely filled with costume fun! Captain Frank loves a great party theme and he loves see new ideas on board the boats!

Theme ideas can definitely lift the fun of a party, however being an outdoor venue away from home you want something that your group will get on board with, but nothing too out there that it makes your guests feel uncomfortable.

The team put their heads together, and these were some of their top picks. Be sure to adapt them to make them your own!

Hello Sailor–It might be said that the nautical theme when on a boat is overdone, but it certainly never gets outdated.

When I Grow Up – Totally dependent on individual interests, this theme allows costume ideas to be as wild and creative as imaginations will run. The list of costume genres is endless, with ideas ranging from actors/actresses to politicians to sports stars, just to name a few.

Summer Beach Fun – Out on the water where the potential for clothing to come off (due to swimming) is high, so why not make the appropriate attire part of your theme? A beachy theme sets the mood for a relaxed fun-filled party.

Moustache Party – A small addition to your everyday outfit, this little touch of fun will be sure to add some laughs to your day. Which moustache suits your personality???

A selection of moustache shapes to choose from for this party theme. Image – www.theologyofgames.com

Fire & Ice – A powerful theme but simple to implement (and perhaps originally taken from a popular TV show). For those that are more outgoing with their costume ideas, there is nothing that says this party theme can’t be taken literally.

Fire & Ice theme as featured on popular TV show Revenge. Image – www.pagecovers.com

Polka Dot Cutesy – Much more subtle than most other themes, guests are encouraged to wear a polka dot garment. Makes for a cute photo opportunity! Alternatively you can opt for a different pattern or specific colour choice.

Pick one of these party themes or create your own theme… the important thing is that you have fun fun fun!!!

It’s the latest craze to hit the beaches, it’s cool and core-friendly – so we’ve decided it’s definitely time to jump (or paddle) on board! Our Captain’s been practising… and he’s not quite there yet, but I’m sure he will get the hang of it soon!

Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) boarding is an excellent way to bond with friends and family, while keeping active, fit and building core strength. Suitable for all fitness levels, it’s a fun water activity that is making waves – literally!

Sea Sydney Harbour has recently added two inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Boards to its portfolio and we’re so excited for the Summer season and fun activities to begin! These can be added to any daytime private charter booking for some additional fun, and fun is definitely what you will have!

One of the new Inflatable Stand-Up Paddle Boards. Image – Sea Sydney Harbour

Jump in the water for a swim, and enjoy the use of paddle boards, pool noodles and the fun of beach balls bouncing around! What better way to spend your Summer Sydney days!

1, 2, 3… Jump!! The boys made the most of the cool Harbour water, while the girls got a little tired of paddling, and opted to rest and take advantage of a perfect photo opportunity. Images – Sea Sydney Harbour

Melissa (a relative of Captain Frank) shares her views of Sydney upon returning for a visit after a few years of life overseas. Here’s her story!

by melissa balzan

I arrived after a long separation – 9 months since we last met, and before that, we had parted for 12 months. My relationship with Sydney seems to be one of love and aversion: when I am here for too long, I wish to leave; and when I am away, I can only dream of my return. Though this time, there seems to be a new energy in the city of Sydney – within which I wish to indulge.

Sydney is known around the world for its beauty: its landmark Harbour Bridge and Opera House, its warm golden beaches, and its friendly and down-to-earth Aussies. But after I return from living and working overseas for a while, I appreciate so much more: the skies here are so blue, the air is so clean, and the city re-development works underway are set to rival some of the best in the world.

What has struck me particularly this time, is the public space that has been claimed back by the people and is free for Sydney siders and visitors to enjoy. Barangaroo Reserve is a shining example of this – set by the beautiful harbour with spectacular urban skyline views, and with native gardens, cycle tracks and walk (or stroll) ways – this place is perfect for an afternoon picnic; and on my visit I was also lucky enough to experience some excellent open-air sculptural installations. Other new sites in the heart of the city offer similar public experiences: Central Park Precinct at Ultimo and the Goods Line that connects Ultimo and Darling Harbour, for example.

Amongst these new iconic points, I also wonder among contemporary architectural gems by world-renowned superstars: One Central Park at Ultimo designed by Jean Nouvel with PTW Architects; and the Dr Chau Chak Wing building at University of Technology by Frank Gehry. And set to come is the reimagined International Convention Centre at Darling Harbour by joint venture Hassell + Populous, and also DUO at Central Park by Foster and Partners.

For the outdoor enthusiast, the design talent, the big city buzzer – Sydney truly offers it all.

In my time overseas, I have been asked of my home city hundreds of times. When I proudly respond with the name Sydney, the reaction is often, “Ahh .. a dream city.” And indeed, Sydney is a dream city, my dream city. I encourage everyone to just lose themselves in its beauty at least once in their life.

When I return next, as I fly in over the stunning Sydney Harbour, I will be looking forward to my further re-discovery of the city – perhaps this time on the water, with uninterrupted views of the beautiful harbour and cityscape.

With winter upon us, here are Captain Frank’s favourite winter warming recipes – hearty soups that are simple to make and will leave you wanting more.

PUMPKIN AND CHORIZO SOUP

“You just can’t have pumpkin soup without the addition of chorizo!! And lots of it!!” – Captain Frank

Individual soup servings. Image – Sea Sydney Harbour

Serves: 4 Prep: 20 mins Cooking Time: 40 mins

1 tbsp olive oil

2 chorizos, finely diced

2 small brown onions, coarsely diced

900g Kent pumpkin, skin removed, seeded, cut into 2.5cm chunks

1 medium carrot, peeled, coarsely diced

3 gloves garlic, chopped

1 dried bay leaf

¾ tsp smoked paprika

¾ tsp ground cumin seeds

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

6 cups water

¼ cup thickened cream

2 tbsp pepitas (pumpkin seeds), toasted

Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and chorizo and cook, stirring for 2-3 minutes or until crisp on the outside. Transfer the chorizo on a plate and set aside.

Add the onions then pumpkin and carrot to the same pan and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes or until the onions and pumpkin begin to soften. Add the garlic, bay leaf, smoked paprika and cumin and cook, stirring for 5 minutes, or until the pumpkin begins to caramelise.

Add the vinegar and cover with the water. Bring to boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the pumpkin is tender. Add the cream and bring back to a simmer. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Discard the bay leaf.

Working in batches, blend the soup in a blender until smooth. Pour batches back into the saucepan to reheat. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

Ladle into four bowls. Top with cooked chorizo and pepitas.

Optional: Drizzle with extra virgin oil and serve with bread.

Alteration on recipe by Curtis Stone

PEA AND BROCCOLI SOUP WITH CHEESY CROUTONS

“This is a great vegetarian option and the cheesy croutons are the perfect addition to the dish.” – Captain Frank

Tasty and colourful. Image – Sea Sydney Harbour

Serves: 4 Prep: 15 mins Cooking Time: 20 mins

1 tbs olive oil

1 brown onion, finely chopped

1 leek, coarsely chopped

1 potato, peeled, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

4 cups (1L) chicken or vegetable stock

1 small head broccoli, coarsely chopped

2 cups (240g) frozen peas

20g butter

4 thick slices bread

2 slices tasty cheddar

Coarsely chopped chives

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, leek, potato and garlic. Cook, stirring for 5 minutes or until the onion softens. Add the stock and bring to boil. Add the broccoli and peas. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 10 minutes or until broccoli is very tender.

Transfer the broccoli mixture to the jug of a blender and blend until smooth. Return to the saucepan over low heat and heat through.

Preheat a sandwich press or large frying pan over high heat. Spread the butter evenly over 1 side of each bread slice. Sandwich the cheddar, butter side out, between bread slices. Cook in sandwich press for 2 minutes or in frying pan for 2 minutes each side, or until cheddar melts and the bread is golden brown. Cut into 2cm wide croutons.

Divide the soup among serving bowls. Top with the croutons and sprinkle with chives to serve.

Recipe by Curtis Stone

Do you have a tasty winter warmer recipe that you would love to share? Share your winter recipe creations on Instagram.

Our favourite Captain Frank took some time out of his busy schedule to share his vision and thoughts on life on Sydney Harbour. We’ve created a special blog post to share his thoughts and words. Here’s what we discovered in 5 minutes (ok, it may have went a little over time):

What do you love most about being a skipper on Sydney Harbour?

Being able to do something that you love everyday can be hard to find in life. I just love what I do and the fact that I get to do it on one of the most beautiful harbours in the world and share it with others is amazing!

Hmmmmm… My most memorable experience would have to be… (long pause) New Years Eve. Spending New Years Eve out on Sydney Harbour every year amongst all the parties and celebrations. I couldn’t ask for a better view!

Have you always wanted to work in the boating industry? How did your passion and love for boats come about?

My passion for boats and the water started from a really young age, when I was out on my uncle’s boat up around Coffs Harbour. I developed a love for the water and I decided then and there I wanted to make a career out of it! I saved up and bought my first boat at the age of 12.

Talking about making a career out of your passion, you’re not just a skipper on the Harbour, but you actually own and drive your own charter boat. When did you establish this business and are there big plans for the near future?

Yes, this is correct. The business (Sea Sydney Harbour) was established in early 2015 when we purchased The Kirralee, our 10.5 metre catamaran. It is going well and so far we are really enjoying it and have already started to expand. I hope together with my wife we can build a strong and solid company. We have some exciting adventures lined up for 2016.

The amazing catamaran – Kirralee. Image – Sea Sydney Harbour

Kirralee is the name of your charter boat. If you could describe her in a single word what would it be?

Amazing.

What can we expect from an experience aboard Kirralee?

The opportunity to cruise Sydney Harbour like never before and create memories! If you charter Kirralee you get exclusive hire for you and your guests and you really explore, or shall I say “Sea Sydney Harbour” (pun intended). Any customer that comes on board receives service with a smile, punctuality, a crew that is willing to go above and beyond and of course use of our spacious, clean boat. Customers are exposed to great views and picture opportunities, while spending qt (quality time) with friends and family. It’s an intimate cruising experience!

You can simply call me direct on +61 452 188 739 or send us an email at info@seasydneyharbour.com.au. Our Customer Service team is great and will generally get back to you within 24 hours. You can also jump on our website or our Facebook page to browse through information on the service we provide and see pictures of the fun had aboard Kirralee. There is lots of it and we definitely hope to see you on board!!

Sea Sydney HarbourSea Sydney Harbour operates 7 days a week and are happy to accommodate to customer requests for charter dates, times and pick up and drop off locations in Sydney Harbour. To make an enquiry or book your exclusive charter email the team at info@seasydneyharbour.com.au.